Apple will attempt its quest of global domination by launching a handful of new stores in key international markets

Apple plans to open an additional 40 to
50 Apple retail locations across the world in 2010, as the company
hopes to provide local services in additional foreign markets.

More
than half of the new stores next year will
be located outside of the United States, according to Apple,
which needs to bolster its international presence. A further
international expansion will help convince consumers to visit Apple
stores to see the company's various products and services in
person.

Specifically, Apple will open new locations in London
and Paris, with at least two stores already planned for Shanghai.
After launching its first stores in 2001, Apple has seen continued
success built around its trendy stores -- analysts predict Apple had
almost 46 million visitors to its stores worldwide during the month
of September.

Apple currently has stores in the U.S. from San
Francisco to New York City, and now must deal with increased
competition from Microsoft entering the retail space.
Microsoft's California location in Mission Viejo competes directly
with an Apple store in the same retail location.

The
Cupertino-based company currently has 280 stores operating in 10
different countries. Apple's products are sold in Best Buy and
other brick and mortar locations, but Apple has been able to offer
customers one-on-one interaction when it comes to tech support and
future product purchases.

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